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Wednesday August 21, 2024

Doug Ford and Pierre Poilievre, both popular conservative leaders, find themselves in a precarious political situation where their ambitions may conflict, as each is wary of how the other's actions could undermine their respective electoral prospects despite sharing a common ideological ground.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 21, 2024

The Unlikely Political Tango of Doug Ford and Pierre Poilievre

September 26, 2019

In the intricate dance of Canadian politics, few pairings are as perplexing as that of Doug Ford, Ontario’s Premier, and Pierre Poilievre, leader of the federal Conservative Party. Both men are riding high in the polls, buoyed by their respective populist messages and the current political climate. However, they find themselves in a precarious position, balancing their ambitions while being acutely aware of how their trajectories may clash, despite sharing a similar conservative ideology.

Ford has hinted at the possibility of an early provincial election, likely in 2025, while explicitly ruling out 2024. This strategic maneuver reflects not only his desire to capitalize on the current political landscape but also a calculated attempt to avoid the fallout from a potential federal election in 2026. If Poilievre’s Conservatives were to win at the federal level, their policies could prove controversial, creating challenges for Ford as he seeks to maintain his grip on Ontario’s political scene. With the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leading in the polls, Ford sees an opportunity to secure his mandate before any federal policies could disrupt his province’s governance.

News: Doug Ford rules out election in 2024, but could call an early election in 2025

Premier Doug Ford's contemplation of an early provincial election, driven by fears of a Pierre Poilievre-led federal Conservative government, is a comedic twist in Ontario politics that sees a conservative leader fretting over the implications of his own party's potential victory.

May 29, 2024

At the same time, Poilievre is acutely aware that Ford’s maneuvers could overshadow his own ambitions. As the federal leader pushes for an early election, he risks losing momentum if Ford’s actions complicate the narrative. The dynamic between the two leaders resembles a high-stakes game of chess, where timing is everything. Both are aware that their current political capital could evaporate quickly if they miscalculate their moves.

The oddity of their situation lies in their shared ideological ground, yet contrasting approaches. Ford’s “happy populist” style resonates with a broad base in Ontario, allowing him to navigate controversies like the Greenbelt scandal relatively unscathed. Poilievre, on the other hand, adopts a more combative stance, which may alienate moderate voters. This divergence means that while they are allies in principle, their individual strategies can lead to unintentional sabotage. Ford might fear that Poilievre’s more ideological approach could polarize voters, particularly if the federal government introduces unpopular measures.

April 28, 2020

Public sentiment adds another layer of complexity. Despite significant controversies surrounding his administration, Ford maintains a level of popularity that defies conventional logic. His connection with voters, characterized by a relatable and approachable persona, has kept him afloat even in turbulent waters. However, this “Teflon” quality might not hold indefinitely, especially with the ongoing RCMP investigation into the Greenbelt scandal. If significant findings emerge, Ford’s political capital could rapidly diminish, potentially impacting Poilievre as well.

Reader sentiment reflects skepticism about both leaders’ strategies, as voters are increasingly aware of the implications of timing and political maneuvering. The fear of being overshadowed looms large for both Ford and Poilievre, creating an environment where every decision can have far-reaching consequences.

Opinion: Is Pierre Poilievre’s election push driven by fear of Doug Ford?

June 24, 2022

In this bizarre political tango, both leaders must tread carefully, weighing their moves against the backdrop of shifting public opinion and external pressures. They must recognize that while they share a common ideological framework, their paths are not guaranteed to converge harmoniously. The stakes are high, and the consequences of misalignment could be catastrophic for both.

As they navigate this precarious landscape, Ford and Poilievre would do well to remember that in politics, timing is everything. Their fortunes are intertwined in ways that could bolster or undermine their ambitions. The future of Ontario and the broader conservative movement in Canada may well depend on their ability to synchronize their strategies without stepping on each other’s toes. For now, they stand as two juggernauts, each hoping to advance their agendas while managing the unpredictable winds of political fortune. (AI)

 

Wednesday January 10, 2024

The escalating impact of climate change-induced disasters in Canada is not just challenging homeowners in obtaining affordable insurance coverage, but also posing systemic risks to the country's economy, prompting a call for urgent adaptive measures and collaborative efforts between insurers and local governments.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 10, 2024

The Financial Wake-up Call of Canada’s Climate Crisis

July 21, 2022

In Canada, the financial toll of the climate crisis is ringing alarm bells louder than ever, with insured damage from natural catastrophes and severe weather events exceeding $3 billion for the second consecutive year. The undeniable reality of climate change is hitting homeowners hard, as insurance claims surge and premiums skyrocket in the face of increasingly frequent and severe disasters, including wildfires and floods.

News: Severe Weather in 2023 Caused Over $3.1 Billion in Insured Damage  

November 19, 2021

The recent denial of a family’s flood damage claim sheds light on the vulnerabilities in insurance coverage, underscoring the urgent need for adaptive strategies. Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a systemic risk to the Canadian economy, demanding collaborative efforts between insurers, local governments, and homeowners.

The economic consequences are reverberating through property devaluation and uncertainties within the insurance market. Insurers grapple with escalating costs, reinsurance complexities, and coverage limitations. The denied claim incident serves as a wake-up call, prompting a call for urgent measures, improved risk mapping, and comprehensive coverage strategies.

Analysis: Climate change is making insurance more expensive and more limited – and it’s only going to get worse  

August 13, 2021

As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, the financial impact should serve as a compelling signal, even to skeptics, that the climate crisis is hitting the pocketbook. Proactive measures, such as updated risk maps and construction practices aligned with new specifications, are crucial for building resilience against the escalating impacts of severe weather events.

The Canadian insurance industry stands at a crossroads, facing the challenge of providing comprehensive coverage while adapting to the evolving risks posed by climate change. The time for decisive action is now, as the financial toll of the climate crisis becomes an undeniable reality for homeowners across the country. (AI)

 

Friday August 12, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday August 12, 2022

Cooler market helps housing consumers

You may have noticed the house around the corner with the For Sale sign planted on its lawn.

You may have noticed that the house didn’t sell in its first week on the market. Or week two. Three weeks have now passed, and there it still sits. Is it just because it’s summer? Or is it something else? It’s something else.

January 27, 2022

The correction in the housing market has arrived, as the latest numbers released by various housing groups show. The slowdown is more rapid and dramatic than most predicted. Days on the market are growing; active listings are up.

The most recent housing market forecast from the Royal Bank is predicting a national slump in resales outpacing previous peak-to-trough declines, as the bank phrases it, comparing its predictions of what lies ahead to, say, 1981-’82, or 2008-’09.

As the slowdown in the national housing market gained momentum last month, the average selling price of a home touched $665,850 — a decline of almost 20 per cent since February. Average selling prices have declined each month since February 2022, and are down by 1.8 per cent compared to what they were a year ago.

Wednesday December 1, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday December 1, 2021

Why Doug Ford is pushing Ontario’s cities to speed up housing construction

December 11, 2018

Premier Doug Ford and his government want Ontario municipalities to approve new home construction projects more quickly, claiming that delays in approvals are driving up the cost of housing.

Building more homes faster is the central topic of the housing summit that Ford will hold next month with the mayors of Ontario’s 29 biggest cities and the chairs of urban regional municipalities. 

In recent weeks, Ford has repeatedly cited the pace of municipal construction approvals as a barrier to making housing more affordable.   

May 13, 2010

The price of buying a home is soaring pretty much everywhere in Ontario, not just the Toronto and Ottawa areas. What’s far from clear is how much delays in municipal permit approvals contribute to those skyrocketing home prices.  

“We’ve got to start cutting the permit times down big time and start getting houses built as quickly as possible,” Ford said during a news conference in Orillia in response to a question about unscrupulous landlords. 

The province will soon start “scoring” cities and towns on how quickly it takes to issue permits, Ford said.

“Believe it or not, folks, sometimes when [developers] apply for a permit, it can take four to six years. Where in North America does it take four to six years?”. 

Ford said the vast majority of cities in Ontario are slow to approve projects. “It’s just like going on a carousel, they loop you around, loop you around, and guess who’s paying? The people are paying, the developer’s not paying.”

December 10, 2020

Ford’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, is also blaming municipal bottlenecks for pushing up the price of homes.

“We know that there are delays, particularly at the municipal level, caused by duplication and red tape that are obstructing new homes from being built, which is shutting out Ontarians and their families from realizing their dream of home ownership,” Clark said to a virtual meeting of the Empire Club of Canada on Thursday.  

“It takes too long to get shovels in the ground as part of the development process,” Clark said during the question and answer session following his speech.

The Ford government has focused on boosting the supply of new homes as its fundamental solution to housing affordability. To achieve that goal, the government is trying to pave the way for new construction to happen more quickly. (CBC) 

 

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 13, 2018

Trump says he’ll punish ‘the people of Canada’ because of Trudeau’s news conference

Escalating his attack on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Donald Trump is now pledging to punish “the people of Canada” economically because of the post-G7 news conference in which Trudeau criticized Trump’s tariffs.

“That’s going to cost a lot of money for the people of Canada. He learned. You can’t do that. You can’t do that,” Trump said Tuesday in Singapore after meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Trump repeated the vague threat in an interview with ABC.

“I actually like Justin, you know, I think he’s good, I like him, but he shouldn’t have done that. That was a mistake. That’s going to cost him a lot of money,” Trump said.

Canadian leaders responded with restraint. Trudeau briefly addressed the latest barb on his way into Tuesday morning’s cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill.

“Obviously we support the continuing efforts by the president on North Korea. We look forward to looking at the details of the agreement. On his comments, as I said, I’m going to stay focused on defending jobs for Canadians and supporting Canadian interests,” Trudeau said.

This is the first time Trump has threatened to take out his frustration with Trudeau on the Canadian people.

The threat comes as the two countries attempt to negotiate a new North American Free Trade Agreement and as Trudeau both seeks an exemption from Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs and attempts to avoid the automotive tariffs Trump is now floating.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday that the government is “prepared for any eventuality” on the possibility of auto tariffs, and that she and Trudeau raised the issue with Trump and other American officials during last weekend’s G7 summit in Quebec. She pointed to Canada’s planned response to the steel and aluminum tariffs — responding duties on a range of U.S. imports worth more than $16 billion — as evidence the government is prepared to be “absolutely resolute” in defending the national interest as trade talks continue.

“From day one, we have said that we expected moments of drama and that we would… keep calm and carry on throughout those moments of drama,” Freeland said. (Source: Toronto Star) 

 

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